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Older adults in a painting class

Oklahoma Creative Aging Initiative


About the Initiative

Launched in 2021, the Oklahoma Arts Council's Creative Aging Initiative is building capacity across the state for community-based arts education programs serving older adults. Creative aging programs offer improved quality of life for this fast growing segment of the population. Through the initiative, the Oklahoma Arts Council is leading professional development opportunities, statewide convenings, advisory groups, and more. Receive updates about the initiative.

2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit

The Oklahoma Arts Council is pleased to present the 2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit, a special one-day convening that will explore the growing intersection of arts, health, and wellbeing. Sharing evidence, research, and real-world models of success, the summit will highlight how creative approaches are being used to support individuals, communities, and healthcare systems. Use the link to learn more.

2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit
May 21, 2026
8:00 a.m. Coffee and Networking
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sessions
Nicholson Conference Center
1000 NE 13th St.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
Register here (no cost)

Funding for Creative Aging

Creative Aging Partnership Grants from the Oklahoma Arts Council offer organizations up to $15,000 in support of arts learning programs serving older adults.

Get Involved!

Creative aging programs involve not only the older adults participating in the programs, but also the organizations and individuals who plan and make the programs possible in their communities. Creative aging in Oklahoma often involves:

The Oklahoma Arts Council works with any Oklahoman who is ready to get involved in creative aging.

To get involved, contact Oklahoma Arts Council Arts Learning in Communities Director Erika Wilhite at erika.wilhite@arts.ok.gov or (405) 249-7615.

Creative Aging Programs in Oklahoma

Coming soon! You will be able to see a list of some of the creative aging programs taking place in Oklahoma.

Resources

Oklahoma Arts and the Military Grants – funding available from the Oklahoma Arts Council to support arts programs serving military-connected individuals in our state. 

Oklahoma Teaching Artist Roster – a vetted resource list of teaching artists managed by the Oklahoma Arts Council available for connecting professional teaching artists with learners of all ages in schools and communities throughout the state.

Oklahoma Arts Council YouTube – view recorded webinars related to creative aging featuring national expert presenters and more

Aging Our Way – a collaborative effort led by Oklahoma Human Service to create a comprehensive plan to prepare the state for an impending—and significant—demographic shift.

Alzheimer’s Music Project – works to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia by providing a compact mp3 player and a personalized music playlist of their most beloved songs and artists.

Community Arts Learning Grants – funding available from the Oklahoma Arts Council to support creative aging programs statewide.

Creative Aging Foundations – a free, self-paced online course by Lifetime Arts designed for institutions and individuals seeking to run successful, participatory artmaking programming for older adults. The course serves as a guide for planning programs and developing the necessary partnerships to support cross-sector creative aging work. 

Creative Aging Strategy Sampler – features research and examples of model programs outlined by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies that can inspire you as you create your own creating aging programs. 

Dances for PD – an award-winning program offering specialized dance classes to people with Parkinson’s disease. 

Gaining Momentum: A Frameworks Communications Toolkit – a resource for the field of aging to help build a better understanding of what it takes to create a more age-integrated society. This will support your marketing efforts and program recruitment.

Lifetime Arts – a national leading organization in creative aging program development that catalyzes and connects people, funding, practical strategies, and bold ideas necessary to embrace older adults as creative and social learners. 

Music and Memory – a program to support people in nursing homes and other care organizations who suffer from a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges to find renewed meaning and connection in their lives through the gift of personalized music.

National Center to Reframe Aging –  a source for proven communication strategies and tools to effectively frame aging issues.

Old School Clearinghouse – an index of resources to educate people about ageism. 

Opening Minds Through Art – a course about intergenerational arts-based programming, showing benefits for both older adults living with dementia and younger adults who serve as volunteers. Learn how to better engage and support the creative process of people living with dementia through an example case study. 

The Creativity and Aging Study – a study by Dr. Gene Cohen about the importance of professionally conducted cultural programs for older adults. Highlights powerful data creative aging program providers can share with partners and stakeholders about the importance. 

Timeslips – a creative storytelling program for people with dementia that can be learned and used by teaching artists, caregivers, and aging service providers.  

Questions?
For more information contact our Arts Learning in Communities Director.